HC Deb 18 July 2003 vol 409 c913W
Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment has been made of the potential value of contracts resulting from the missile defence memorandum of understanding signed on 12 June; which bodies have carried out analyses for the Department; and what values were estimated; [127047]

(2) what contracts have been signed by UK-based companies or institutions under the missile defence memorandum of understanding signed on 12 June. [127049]

Mr. Hoon

The Framework Ballistic Missile Defence Memorandum of Understanding (BMD MoU) signed on 12 June 2003 sets out the overarching structure for government-to-government collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United States on missile defence. It establishes and defines a framework within which specific activities, to be set out in Annexes to this MoU, can beundertaken. This includes activities already under way under the pre-existingStrategic Defence Initiative MoU. The BMD MoU itself provides no authorityfor placing contracts and no assessments were undertaken of the potential value of contracts resulting from collaborative projects that are in progress now, or may be undertaken in the future.

Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies involved in negotiations over the missile defence memorandum of understanding signed on 12 June; and at which point in the negotiation process each company was involved. [127048]

Mr. Hoon

No companies were involved in negotiations over the Ballistic Missile Defence Memorandum of Understanding signed on 12 June.